With the SANBT having just taken place we were hoping to feature another local winner this week. On visiting our local bottle-store however this gold medalist had completely sold out, so you’re going to have to keep an eye out for it next week. We’re still very pleased with this weeks Friday Beer, it’s not local but it really is very good. It’s the Vedett Extra Ordinary IPA.
Straight off the mark this beer is not one short on awards either. In 2017 it picked up a Gold Medal at the World Beer Awards where it would have gone head-to-head with, well, the best in the world. Hardly surprising when its brewing heritage goes all the way back to 1871 when its big brother the Duvel Moortgat Brewery was founded in Belgium. The Vedett brand came about in 1945 as a creation of Albert Moortgat, son of Jan-Leonard Moortgat who founded the Duvel Moortgat Brewery.
India Pale Ale, but not really from India and not really a Pale Ale.
We do like the irreverence of it but it’s also a nice factual piece. Many people call IPA’s “Indian Pale Ales” but they are in fact “India Pale Ales”. “Not from India” is a pretty clear indication here but also a bit misleading because India does have a lot to do with it. When the Brits were stationed in India in the 19th Century they upped the Hops and alcohol content of their standard Pale Ale so that it would survive the long journey and the Indian climate. Or so we’ve been told.
Regardless, this is a great beer and an IPA we strongly suggest you try this weekend. If you’re someone who is just getting into hoppy beers this is probably a good one to try. For those still getting into hops we will put a post out next week on what all the hoppy hype is about.
With that, have a great weekend and be sure to pick up a couple of Vedett Extra Ordinary IPA. As always, send us your pictures, let us know your thoughts and think of us when you are sipping something interesting this weekend.
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Cheers!